21 August 2000
The Transcript of Evidence of the Investigative Enquiry which was held in camera by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on the Helderberg Disaster was made public by the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar this morning.
In his statement, Minister Omar said Cabinet came to a conclusion that there was no reason to maintain the secrecy which had been imposed and decided that it was in the ‘best interests of the country and our democracy that the veil of secrecy be lifted'. Relatives of the victims, the media and the public in general, will for the first time, have access to the transcript.
Minister Omar said that there were still many questions than answers and because no proper investigations were conducted to secure possible answers, government decided to pursue investigations, both through the Civil Aviation Authority, but more especially through the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions. "The Head of the team is Adv. J I Welch, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and of the Directorate of Special Operations. A special task team has been set up under his leadership", the Minister confirmed.
"Government is determined that the truth be pursued and established", Omar added. On whether the enquiry will be reopened or not, Minister Omar said "there may be a need for reopening the Enquiry, depending on what emerges from the investigations. The current investigation process is an extremely thorough one and is designed to get to the bottom of the matter. Once the investigations have been concluded, it will be possible to decide on whether the Enquiry should be re-opened or not".
The transcript is available on Department of Transport's website, www.transport.gov.za and the general government site which is www.gov.za.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT
MEDIA LIAISON AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
Private Bag X193. Pretoria. 0001. Room 4111.
Forum Building. Struben Street. Pretoria
Private Bag X9129. CAPE TOWN. 8000. 120 Plein Street. CAPE TOWN. 8000
Tel. (012) 309 31311. Fax. (012) 328 3194. e-mail: mabasam@ndot.pwv.gov.za
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ISSUED BY Mike Mabasa
Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar
Pretoria